The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) relased their June report to Congress last week. Of note to the rehab and therapy community is Chapter Eight: “Addressing the Growth of Ancillary Services in Physician Offices.” The chapter on ancillary services addresses outpatient therapy including physical, occupational and speech therapies. Of note is the discussion regarding the growth [...]
The HHS Office of the National Coordinator for Health Technology released the final rule today that includes provisions for temporary certification of programs for EHR. (This will eventually be replaced by a permanent certification program). The entire press release can be found at the HHS website. “By purchasing certified EHR technology, hospitals and eligible professionals [...]
CMS has updated the “Rehabilitation Therapy Information” Fact Sheet and it is now available for downloading at the CMS website. The 4 page flyer inlcudes highlights over therapy changes over the past year including the therapy cap, DME Instructions, SLP in Private Practice, and Therapy Personnel Requirements. There are also links to rehab related Medicare [...]
CMS has recently announced a new round of RAC informational sessions for providers. The video features the slide show used in the original fall RAC informational sessions along with commentary by Commander Marie Casey. This video production is one of many that have been posted by CMS/HHS on YouTube. This video is being released as [...]
CMS has announced the therapy cap for 2010 is $1860, representing a $20 increase over the 2009 therapy cap. Transmittal R1851 to the Medicare Claims Processing Manual, dated 11/13/2009 and the accompanying MLN Article MM6660 provide information on the implementation. The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA) established a $1500 therapy cap for physical therapy (including speech-language [...]
Trailblazer , the MAC J4 contractor has released a DRAFT Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Outpatient LCD (local coverage determination). The draft LCD is posted as of October 30, 2009 for a 45 day comment period that ends December 14, 2009. According to Trailblazer: This LCD establishes frequency limitations of 5 (15-minute) PT or OT services per [...]